The Downtown Development Authority is the primary agent for downtown development in Wayland. Pursuant to Act 197 of the State of Michigan, the DDA was created in 1989. The DDA, through tax recaptures, has the ability to initiate and providing funding for a variety of authorized downtown development activities including infrastructure projects, special events, business incentive programs, and streetscape improvements.
The Downtown Development Authority meets the third Thursday of each month, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon), at City Hall.
DDA Members:
Mike Salisbury, Chair
Arny Rodriguez, Vice Chair
Dr. Ron House, Treasurer
Karen Gregersen, Secretary
Tim Bala, Mayor
Stuart Isenhoff
Norm Taylor
Ester Saunders
Tom Damveld
The Michigan Main Street (MMS) Program supports downtowns and traditional commercial neighborhood districts by promoting and implementing the Main Street Four-Point Approach® in communities across the state. This approach helps build partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders and encourages historic preservation. It promotes environmentally-sustainable redevelopment, integrates communities’ cultural assets and fosters entrepreneurial development and downtown living. More information is available at www.michiganmainstreetcenter.com.
Main Street Four-Point Approach®
The Main Street Four-Point Approach® is a community-driven, comprehensive strategy that encourages economic development through historic preservation in ways that are appropriate for today’s marketplace. The four points include:
Design: Enhancing the downtown’s physical environment by capitalizing on its best assets including historic buildings, and creating an inviting atmosphere through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, streetscapes and landscaping.
The Design committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 PM, at the Reno Agency, located at 120 W. Superior St.
Economic Restructuring: Strengthening a community’s existing economic base while also expanding and diversifying it in order to convert unused spaces into productive properties and sharpen the competitiveness of business enterprises.
The Economic Restructuring committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month, at 12:00 PM (noon), at TPS, located at 211 W. Superior St.
Promotion: Marketing a downtown’s unique characteristics to residents, visitors, investors and business owners by developing a positive, promotional strategy through advertising, retail activities, special events and marketing campaigns.
The Promotion committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month, at 12:00 PM (noon), at McDuff’s, located at 105 E. Superior St.
Organization: Involving all of the community’s stakeholders, getting everyone working toward a common goal and driving the volunteer-based Main Street Program.
The Organization committee meets on the fourth Monday of each month, at 6:00 PM, at Harlequinn Hair Fashions, located at 125 S. Main St.
We Need Your Help!
This program requires local volunteers to make it successful. A volunteer can be defined many different ways. Everyone has unique gifts and each volunteer will be trained, right here in Wayland, by the MMS Center staff. To volunteer, or for more information, please contact the Wayland Main Street Office:
Alicia Verardi
Main Street/DDA Director
120 W. Superior St. – P.O. Box 408
Wayland, MI 49348
P: 888.417.6653
F: 888.417.1854
Downtown News: Click here for more information...
The Downtown Task Force has been working with Cornerstone Architects to develop a “Wayfinding Master Plan”. The plan would provide for a system of signs to welcome and direct visitors to Downtown Wayland and to identify significant destinations such as City Hall, Public Safety Building, Library, shopping district, parking, etc. The signage would distinguish the downtown business district from other business areas in the community and provide a way to encourage visitors to “Shop Downtown Wayland.”
Wayland as a “Blueprint Community” - In 2004, the State of Michigan recognized Wayland as a “Blueprint Community” under the State’s Cool Cities initiative.
Downtown Task Force - The Task Force is responsible for coordinating downtown development activities and making recommendations to the Downtown Development Authority for specific activities to pursue.
Down Town Incentive Programs - It is the purpose of the Downtown Façade Improvement Program to provide a financial incentive to downtown property owners/tenants to make architectural-sensitive improvements to the exterior of their buildings.
Downtown Task Force
The Task Force meets the third Wednesday of each month, at Noon, at City Hall
Members:
Sheryl Hamilton, Co-Chairperson
Jennifer Antel
Karen Gregersen
Gail Hollinger
Monte Listopad
Bruce Patrick
Jim Rogers
Denise Behm